Jerusalem okays additional construction

Committee allows 40 more units in Pisgat Ze'ev, beyond 1967 borders, despite controversy

Ronen Medzini|Published: 08.02.10 , 16:51

Jerusalem Municipality approved on Monday the construction of 40 additional housing units in eastern Pisgat Ze'ev, which is located on land captured by Israel in 1967.

The district planning and building committee gave the green light for four buildings in the neighborhood, each of which will contain 10 apartments.

Earlier Permit

32 homes approved in Pisgat Ze'ev

Ronen Medzini

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32 homes approved in Pisgat Ze'ev

The units are part of a controversial plan entailing the construction of 220 apartments in all, which has been criticized by the Palestinians and the US as well as left-wing politicians. Recently 32 units were approved as part of the same plan.

The construction is considered a violation of the status-quo because it will take place beyond the 1967 borders. The timing has also been criticized, as it comes just as Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to hold peace talks.

The chairman of the committee and deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Kobi Kahlon, said before the vote on the 40 units that Pisgat Ze'ev should be considered the same as any other neighborhood in the city.

"We don't have the authority to deprive any man of the rights he deserves. People don't understand the rules of this system. This respected committee hasn't the option to behave differently. Its considerations are limited, as is its range of action," Kahlon added.

But Councilman Meir Turgeman, who heads the opposition faction in the municipal council, said that "the municipality's conduct on the issue of Pisgat Ze'ev and the construction in Jerusalem is atrocious".

"Everything is done in the dark, like thieves, and derives from hypocrisy and double standards upheld by the mayor," Turgeman said. "We can't keep lying to the entire world like this."

Former deputy mayor, Yosef (Pepe) Alalo, said the timing was wrong for such decisions. "I've always said there was no problem with Pisgat Ze'ev, but the trouble is the timing," he said.

"We are now at the most critical moment for the negotiations, and such an approval is harmful. They wanted to do this in a disorderly manner, without anyone noticing, but it's outrageous. We should consider the reality."